sulk
Americanverb (used without object)
noun
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a state or fit of sulking.
-
sulks, ill-humor shown by sulking.
to be in the sulks.
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Also sulker. a person who sulks.
verb
noun
-
(often plural) a state or mood of feeling resentful or sullen
he's in a sulk because he lost the game
he's got the sulks
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Also: sulker. a person who sulks
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have sulkedperfect
-
has sulkedperfect 3rd person singular
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are sulkingprogressive
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has been sulkingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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sulkingparticiple
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am sulkingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been sulkingperfect progressive
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sulkssingular 3rd person
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is sulkingprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had sulkedperfect
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were sulkingprogressive plural
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was sulkingprogressive singular
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sulkedsimple
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sulkedparticiple
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had been sulkingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of sulk
First recorded in 1775–85; back formation from sulky
Explanation
When you are displeased by something and you let your gloomy mood show, you're sulking. Do you want to bake another cake, or are you going to sulk all day about the one you dropped? When you say someone sulks, the tone of the word suggests the person is overdoing it. You wouldn't accuse a widow of sulking at her husband's funeral, because she has a good reason to be sad and gloomy. Instead of sulking because you messed up your tuba solo during the concert, why not put your energy into practice? Or switch to violin.
Vocabulary lists containing sulk
Where the Red Fern Grows
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My Brother Sam is Dead
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Out of the Dust
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On reaching the podium the Sulk had his first moment of self doubt.
From The Guardian • Oct. 2, 2019
It ought to have done because one of those doing the rubbishing had been the Sulk itself.
From The Guardian • Oct. 2, 2019
We've only been streaming it and don't have a finished copy, but we're hoping Trust's debut album opens with Sulk.
From The Guardian • Oct. 10, 2012
Following in the footsteps of Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez has been handed a one-match suspension from Les Bleus after conducting the traditional French rite of passage 'Le Sulk de Grand Tournoi' during Euro 2012.
From The Guardian • Jul. 27, 2012
"Sulk at you?" said Mr. Glegg, in a tone of angry facetiousness.
From The Mill on the Floss by Eliot, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
